Bulova Men’s Archive Series Lunar Pilot 6-Hand Chronograph High Performance Quartz Stainless Steel and Black Nylon Strap Watch Set, Sapphire Crystal Style: 96B251

The “Other” Moon Watch, Bulova’s Lunar Pilot
This watch has been reviewed on Amazon many times already, so I will try to not repeat too much of what has already been said, and if I do repeat, I’ll try to condense my words to what you might really be interested to know.First: This watch has some historical significance, as a replica of the only other watch known to be worn on the Moon besides the Omega Speedmaster (which I also once owned). Bulova produced just a few of these back in the early 70’s (through their Swiss subsidiary Universal Geneve), submitted some to NASA for testing, and gifted one to David Scott, who took it along as “backup” during the Apollo 15 mission. He ended up wearing it on the lunar surface while piloting the Lunar Rover. That particular watch sold at auction in 2015 for $1,600,000.Second: Even without the historical significance, it’s a technically interesting watch with unique features. The watch uses Bulova’s UHF quartz movement, in which the crystal vibrates 8 times faster than conventional quartz watches. This provides extreme accuracy of approximately 10 seconds/year as well as very smooth motion of the central chronograph seconds hand. The running seconds hand located on the subdial at six o’clock ticks every half-second, not every second like most quartz watches.Third: The styling is unique among modern Bulova watches, which are often very highly polished, glittery and sometimes “blingy”. This watch is more of a “tool” or instrument, with a mostly bead blasted texture, and a little bit of a brushed finish on the bezel. The crystal is a thick flat slab of sapphire, and actually protrudes a millimeter or so above the edge of the bezel, just like the original plexiglass crystal did. The pushers to activate the chronograph functions are levers which operate in slots milled in the case. The dial is very precisely detailed, and has the subdials and the track for seconds recessed slightly below the level of the main dial, while the tachymeter track is raised above the main dial, giving a pleasing three-dimensional effect. The white lumed hands and markers offer high contrast with the black dial, and very good legibility. Basically, the watch looks like something designed to do a particular job, rather than something designed simply to look pretty.Fourth: The watch is physically large. The original was 43.3 mm diameter, and because the UHF movement used requires slightly more space, the case has been slightly enlarged to 45 mm, with an overall length of 53 from lug-to-lug and about 13 mm thickness. For most people, this isn’t really a problem as large watches are fashionable, and it’s not stupidly large like some other examples I could name. My wrists are almost exactly 7 inches, and I already owned other watches with similar size, so from my perspective it looks large, but not TOO large. If your wrists are less than 7 inches circumference, the watch MAY look big on you, depending on your personal preferences.Fifth: The build quality is excellent. I could find no defects at all, everything worked properly out of the box. I’ve heard of some buyers needing to reset the chronograph hands to zero (an easy adjustment), mine were fine from the start. The back is nicely detailed with information about the Apollo 15 mission and the famous Bulova tuning fork logo. The presentation box includes an extra velcro strap similar to those actually used by NASA, as well as a tool to remove the spring bars when changing straps. The leather strap which is attached to the watch is very nice, with a texture which resembles either carbon fiber or a basketweave (take your pick). Either way, it is kind of stiff to begin with, but in a day or so, conforms very well to my wrist. I find it comfortable enough to wear while sleeping, and although the watch is somewhat heavy, after a while it is easy to forget I’m wearing it. I wouldn’t choose this watch to wear during very active sports such as mountain biking, as the weight on my wrist might be noticeable then. Also, I’ve got other watches which are lighter and better suited for that kind of use. However, for everyday wear, the Lunar Pilot is perfectly comfortable.Bottom line (see what I did there?) is that this watch is unique, comfortable, accurate and historically significant, and a LOT of watch for the money.

Not as big as you’d think!
So glad I opted for this version! I’m not saying that If I listened to others, and chose the smaller version, I would be terribly disappointed, but I’m really liking this one especially having the date complication! It wears smaller on my 7” wrist than I expected, much like my 43 mm TAG Heuer. Finishing is first rate, too. I really live the contrast between the hands and dial. So reminiscent of aeronautical instruments, I just love tool watches like this. The supplied straps appear well made, though I’ve only used the leather one so far and I imagine I’ll also buy the bracelet Island Watch offers in a matching blasted finish. Anyone on the fence about buying this one really needs to just pull the trigger. I’m sure they’ll be glad they did!

Lindo relógio, cheio de história, robusto, ao mesmo tempo elegante, movimento preciso, ótima legibilidade.Só poderia ser um pouco menor.

Superb provenance, beautiful design, great price.